MPS teacher wins national award

A Milwaukee high school teacher just won what's considered an Oscar of teaching, and it was a total surprise.

The band at Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School warmed up the crowd as teacher Sarah Berndt sat with her students, thinking this was just an average Wednesday morning assembly.

But then came the announcement that a teacher was the winner of the national Milken Educator Award and would receive $25,000.

It is an award only given to 40 teachers nationwide this year.

In shock and disbelief, and fighting back tears, Berndt made her way to the stage to become only the third Milwaukee Public Schools teacher to win the award, and she is the only teacher in Wisconsin to win the award this year.

"I can't imagine doing anything else but spending my days with these students," Berndt said. "I'm going to use it for my student loans. I'm going to put a very big dent in my student loan debt, and that will feel very good."

"She's an all-around helpful teacher, and I cannot imagine anyone else that would be more deserving of this award," student Meagan Bertram said.

Berndt said she teaches for the kids, not for awards, but this was certainly a nice bonus.

The state superintendent said he's very proud to have a teacher from Wisconsin win this award, and said it's an honor for MPS.

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